Keeping our students safe

Each school day buses from Rowan County Schools travel over 3,000 miles throughout the county picking up and dropping off students, winding their way through city streets and rural back roads. It is important that bus drivers and motorists work together to keep students safe as they are boarding or getting off the school bus. Every school bus in the fleet is equipped with red flashing lights and a stop sign to signal motorists to stop as well as a crossing control arm that helps bus drivers see the students as they are crossing in front of the bus.

When a school bus is traveling on the road, every driver should always be on the alert for children. When the flashing red lights and the stop sign on the side of the bus are engaged, Kentucky law (KRS 189.370) requires motorists traveling in both directions to stop and allow the students to move safely to their destination. Drivers must remain stopped until all warning devices – the flashing red lights, the stop sign and the crossing control arm – have been disengaged and turned off. Any person who violates this law will be subject to being cited or arrested.

“The safety of our students is always of primary concern,” said Superintendent Marvin Moore. “We urge drivers to take extra precautions when they are driving on roads where school buses are present.”